No one can blame Drew Tate for letting the news on Stanley Bryant slip a day early.

After all, the Calgary Stampeders quarterback relies the hulking offensive tackle to serve as his bodyguard and open running lanes on the right side of the field.

So Tate, more than most had plenty of emotion invested in the Stamps locking down the East Carolina product before free agency opens Friday at 10 a.m.

“I couldn’t be more excited,” Tate said Thursday after an off-season workout at McMahon Stadium. “Stanley Bryant re-signed or he negotiated.”

“So man, I woke up happy today, and I’ve been happy all day.”

John Hufnagel will likely give Tate a pass for the public relations faux pas, considering the boss came awfully close to announcing the news himself.

In an earlier chat with reporters, Hufnagel said he was on the verge of signing one of three remaining free agents. He then proceeded to confirm that offensive lineman Mark Dewit and defensive lineman Brian Bulcke are expected to test the open market.

Draw your own conclusions.

“I’m very close with one of our free agents,” Hufnagel said. “You can do the math from there.”

The math adds up to Bryant sticking around in Calgary, which adds instant stability to the offensive line.

“With the team we’ve got, it’s going to be hard for anyone to make it,” Tate said, beaming. “I think we’ve got a lot of different players in all positions, and it’s going to be a grind — but that’s only going to make us better

“It’s going to make the starters better, knowing the guys behind them are just as good, and they’re waiting for their chance. So it’s going to be a good camp. It’s going to be competitive. I see us being very successful this year, without question.”

With the impending signing of Bryant, the Stamps have three import offensive linemen under contract including Edwin Harrison and Na’Shan Goddard.

The question remains whether Hufnagel will deploy imports at both tackle positions or go with non-import Spencer Wilson.

Wilson, a product of Calgary’s Henry Wise Wood High School, is turning 25 and appears ready to establish himself as a starter.

Provided, of course, his body can hold up.

“I’m concerned about his back,” Hufnagel said. “He has a bit of a bulging disc, and that was really bothering him at the end of the year.

“We’re trying to see what direction to take.

In a perfect world, exercise and physiotherapy will take care of the problem, but surgery is a possibility.

In the meantime, Hufnagel is preparing for either one or two imports on the offensive line.

Bryant gives him more options. Bryant gives him security.

As for the other side of free agency — the buying — Hufnagel does not foresee himself as a major player on a day where the prices can skyrocket.

“We’re looking, probably more window-shopping than anything else,” he said. “I don’t see any glaring holes in our roster.

“You always want to get the best competition for training camp, and I’m not so sure free agency is the path to do that.”

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